Author
Topic: Motorcycle Balancer (Read 2064 times)

Hi, I am a Mechanical Engineer with plenty of experience, but I have no robotic/controls experience.

I would like to build a device to balance my motorcycle when I stop at a stop light so that I don't have to put my feet down. I would like it to be as small and light as possible. I would like it to be able to attach to the storage/gear rack at the back of the motorcycle.

I know how to do everything except build the balancing part and what components are required to balance the motorcycle.

The motorcycle, with me on it weighs about 700lbs.

I would like to control the handle bars at the stop light and the idea is that I would pull up to the light and as I stop the balancer will take over and I will hold the handle bars still.

I do not know how to write any software, and I do not know how to choose any electronic components. I believe it will need to run off of 9V power supply on the bike.

it sure looks simple but man is it ever over my head. maybe the controlling software and components can be purchased and all i would have to do is buy a big enough motor and slap on a 100lb weight. DONE! LOL

I am not a mechanical engineer. It sounds like you are not one either. But I do know that spinning heavy things quickly can result in serious failures. Engineers died some years ago when a containment vessel for flywheel testing failed during a low speed test.

So many doubters! I say experiment away! While I unfortunately don't know too much about software stuff (also an ME), I can at least point you to this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyro_monorail and this: http://www.aqpl43.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/LOCOLOCO/brennan/brennan.htm . This kind of design doesn't seem to need as much in the way of intelligent motor control. I think it could basically be achieved with a pair of weighted wheels mounted on either side of your bike. To ease the fears of some of these other commenters, maybe try this on a weighted bicycle first and show us the results.

In "real life" you balance by turning the handle bars to move/ accelerate the contact point to the right or left of the center of gravity which causes the bike to rotate to the left or right. This is easier and more effective when moving because in addition to just moving the contact point to the right or left, you also accelerate to the right or left causing the vehicle to rotate to the left or right.

Example, riding along you turn the handle bars to the right - the contact point moves and accelerates to the right, the bike inertia lags and it tips to the left setting you up for a left turn. (This is why it is hard to learn how to ride a bike - do a search on "non-minimum phase").

You can do the same thing at a stop, but you have less control authority because the distance you can move the contact point is limited by the trail in the front suspension. But with practice, it can be done (up to a point...)